Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tomoya Suzuki, Kento Shiota, Yu-ichiro Izato, Masahiro Komori, Koichi Sato, Yasuyuki Takai, Takayuki Ninomiya, Atsumi Miyake
Summary: Hydrogen refueling stations (HRSs) are essential for fuel cell vehicles in Japan, but also pose potential hazards such as explosions or fires. With advancements in technology and operational experience, conducting qualitative and quantitative risk assessments for HRSs has become increasingly important.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Chieh-Ming Wu, Olorunfemi Adetona, Chi Song
Summary: Wildland firefighters exposed to prescribed burns experience changes in their cardiovascular system, including a decrease in systolic blood pressure and an increase in heart rate, likely due to carbon monoxide exposure and physical exertion during firefighting tasks.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eduardo P. Olaguer
Summary: Formaldehyde is a significant contributor to urban cancer risk and its emissions are often underestimated in the United States. The study conducted real-time measurements and simulations to investigate the cumulative exposure to formaldehyde from multiple sources, as well as its impact on ambient concentrations. The findings helped explain the observed differences in formaldehyde concentrations in the Detroit area.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Sabrina Benyettou Oribi, Abdelhak Kada, Belkacem Lamri, Luis Mesquita
Summary: New developments in building construction have focused on achieving sustainable design and efficient use of raw materials, with steel being a key example. This has led to increased research on optimizing the geometric configurations of steel sections with web openings to ensure cost-effective structural design. The improvement of design methods for perforated steel beams to assess their behavior under lateral torsional buckling (LTB) remains a topic of ongoing interest for scientists and designers. This article investigates the behavior of cellular beams at ambient and elevated temperatures due to fire, through both analytical and numerical methods. The study evaluates the effect of coupling and endplate thickness on the collapse strength of the beams, considering geometric imperfections and material nonlinearities. Parametric studies were conducted, considering changing temperatures, cross-section geometries, and web aperture configurations, for beams subjected to uniform bending and distributed loads. The analyses revealed various failure modes, and a new formula for the plateau length of the LTB curves was proposed to better assess the behavior of cellular beams.
JOURNAL OF CONSTRUCTIONAL STEEL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yuchun Tang, Wei Bi, Liz Varga, Tom Dolan, Qiming Li
Summary: This study proposed the concept of fire resilience based on system resilience theory for metro station systems (MSS), and combined disaster scene analysis, TOSE approach, and modified TOPSIS method to identify fire resilience indexes. A Bayesian network was developed to assess fire resilience and reveal critical causal chains in fire scenes. Sensitivity analysis and dynamic Bayesian network with critical importance analysis were used to formulate optimization strategies for different periods of operating life. The framework was applied to Nanjing MSS and provided practical tools for long-term resilient operation against fires.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tania L. Gomez-Borraz, Armando Gonzalez-Sanchez, Juan Cabello, Adalberto Noyola
Summary: Direct anaerobic sewage treatment is becoming more popular in intertropical developing countries due to its low carbon footprint. However, if dissolved methane in the effluent is not controlled, this advantage will be significantly reduced. This study develops a mathematical model to assess the temperature variations in the biofilter media and their effects on methane oxidation performance under different operating conditions. Practical recommendations for facilitating heat transport from the compost media to the surroundings are presented.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2022)
Review
Construction & Building Technology
Luis Laim, Hugo Caetano, Aldina Santiago
Summary: This paper summarizes the application of nanotechnology in cementitious materials and highlights the importance of nanoparticles in improving the physical properties of cement. It is recommended to use different sizes of nanoparticles and polypropylene fibers under high temperatures, while emphasizing the urgent need for further research on the response of such materials at high temperatures.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Qiuying Chang, Chuanhai Zhao, Lei Xing, Waqas Ahmad, Muhammad Faisal Javed, Fahid Aslam, Muhammad Ali Musarat, Nikolai Ivanovich Vatin
Summary: This experimental investigation examines the benefits of concrete-filled double-skin tubular columns and analyzes the factors influencing their compressive strength. The study compares different design approaches and finds that GB50936 (2014) yields the best outcomes. Furthermore, the study tests the samples at elevated temperatures and concludes that the type of infilled concrete and interior tube material do not significantly affect the performance.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jasmine Y. Nakayama, Krishna Surasi, Lance R. Owen, Mark Johnson, Sandra Martell, Abigail Kittler, Peter Lopatin, Sarah Patrick, Caitlin Mertzlufft, D. Kevin Horton, Maureen Orr
Summary: After a chemical fire, syndromic surveillance, general health survey, and first responders health survey were used to assess health effects. Exposure to smoke, dust, debris, or odor was associated with higher odds of reporting symptoms in the general public. First responders commonly reported contact with material and proximity to the fire for an extended period. The investigation results can assist in allocating public health resources and preparing for future incidents.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Soyoung Park, Hyun-Soo Kim, Hyun-Jeong Oh, Insung Chung, Yeon-Soon Ahn, Kyoung Sook Jeong
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated phthalate exposure in 32 firefighters by comparing the concentrations of urinary phthalate metabolites immediately and three weeks after fire suppression. The results showed significantly higher levels of phthalate metabolites on the exposure day compared to the control day. Firefighters involved in fire extinguishing tasks had higher phthalate concentrations, and those closer to the fire had higher concentrations as well. Firefighters with subjective symptoms after fire suppression also had higher phthalate concentrations. This study demonstrated that firefighters are exposed to phthalates.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Olivia Mirza, Sukanta Kumer Shill, M. G. Rashed, Kathryn Wilkins
Summary: This study investigates the shear resistance and failure modes of headed stud shear connectors at fire exposure and post-fire exposure. Experimental results show a reduction in the ultimate shear capacity and stiffness of the connectors as temperature increases. Concrete with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibited reduced spalling and cracking compared to ordinary concrete at temperatures above 400 degrees C.
STEEL AND COMPOSITE STRUCTURES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Faizan Ahmad, Sadaf Zaidi, Mohd Arshad
Summary: The study measured the physical and chemical quality attributes of apples during storage after harvesting, formulated overall quality index models based on measured attributes, validated the models with sensory scores, and checked the possibility of predicting overall quality index non-destructively during storage using measured attributes.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Jingjie Yang, Weiyong Wang, Lei Xu, Yu Shi
Summary: This paper presents a study on the global buckling load of cold-formed steel built-up box-shape columns at different temperatures. Numerical models and parametric analyses were used to verify the effectiveness of the design method. It was found that the proposed elastic global buckling load provided reliable results at ambient temperatures but not at elevated temperatures. The design method was modified and verified against test results to improve its accuracy.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jiayao Chen, Heiko J. Jahn, Haitong Zhe Sun, Zhi Ning, Weisheng Lu, Kin Fai Ho, Tony J. Ward
Summary: Exposure measurement error is a significant bias source in epidemiological studies. This study assessed the validity of using ambient measurements as proxies for personal exposures and found that the correlation between personal exposure and ambient concentrations is influenced by health status and pollutant type.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hossein Nassiraei, Amin Yara
Summary: This paper evaluates the effect of the outer reinforcing plate on the initial stiffness, ultimate strength, and failure mechanisms of tubular K-joints under different fire conditions. The results show that the use of outer plates can greatly enhance the ultimate strength of the joints.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Anne Fairbrother, Derek Muir, Keith R. Solomon, Gerald T. Ankley, Murray A. Rudd, Alistair B. A. Boxall, Jennifer N. Apell, Kevin L. Armbrust, Bonnie J. Blalock, Sarah R. Bowman, Linda M. Campbell, George P. Cobb, Kristin A. Connors, David A. Dreier, Marlene S. Evans, Carol J. Henry, Robert A. Hoke, Magali Houde, Stephen J. Klaine, Rebecca D. Klaper, Sigrun A. Kullik, Roman P. Lanno, Charles Meyer, Mary Ann Ottinger, Elias Oziolor, Elijah J. Petersen, Helen C. Poynton, Pamela J. Rice, Gabriela Rodriguez-Fuentes, Alan Samel, Joseph R. Shaw, Jeffery A. Steevens, Tim A. Verslycke, Doris E. Vidal-Dorsch, Scott M. Weir, Peter Wilson, Bryan W. Brooks
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jennifer N. Apell, Nicholas C. Pflug, Kristopher McNeill
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nathan M. Jones, Meghan McDonnell, Emily Sparer-Fine, Bernard Rosner, Jack T. Dennerlein, Stefanos Kales, Carmen Messerlian
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2020)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kathleen Fitzsimmons, Elise Pechter, Emily Sparer-Fine
PREVENTING CHRONIC DISEASE
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anna S. Young, Emily H. Sparer-Fine, Heidi M. Pickard, Elsie M. Sunderland, Graham F. Peaslee, Joseph G. Allen
Summary: This study investigated PFAS occurrences inside 15 fire stations in Massachusetts, finding that PFAS concentrations in dust varied among different rooms, with turnout gear potentially serving as a significant source.
JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kaitlin Kelly-Reif, Jessica L. Rinsky, Sophia K. Chiu, Sherry Burrer, Marie A. de Perio, Alexis Grimes Trotter, Sarah Selica Miura, Jennifer Y. Seo, Rick Hong, Lee Friedman, Julie Hand, Gillian Richardson, Theresa Sokol, Emily H. Sparer-Fine, James Laing, Anthony Oliveri, Katharine McGreevy, Marija Borjan, Laurel Harduar-Morano, Sara E. Luckhaupt
Summary: The study aimed to describe COVID-19 deaths among first responders early in the pandemic, using media reports and traditional surveillance. Media reports demonstrated high sensitivity in documenting COVID-19-related deaths among first responders, although information on risk factors was scarce. Routine collection of data on industry and occupation could improve understanding of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality among all workers.
PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yi Cai, Jennifer N. Apell, Nicholas C. Pflug, Kristopher McNeill, Ulla E. Bollmann
Summary: This study investigated the photodegradation of medetomidine under natural sunlight conditions and found that its half-life in marine systems is less than 1.5 days, suggesting it is not persistent in the water environment. The research also discovered that medetomidine can undergo phototransformation with different reactive species under light.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Michelle Reid, James Laing, Matthew Tumpney, Kelley Cunningham, Aynsley Chaneco, Mariel Batista, Emily Sparer-Fine
Summary: This study examined suicide deaths among working-age residents in Massachusetts and identified industries and occupations with high numbers and rates of suicides. The findings suggest that work-related factors may contribute to suicide rates and should be considered in outreach initiatives and interventions.
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Education, Scientific Disciplines
Stephen D. D. Kasteler, Michelle Reid, Peter C. C. Lee, Emily Sparer-Fine, Angela K. K. Laramie
Summary: This study compared the proportion and rate of sharps injuries among medical trainees with those among attending physicians. Results showed that sharps injuries occurred most in operating and procedure rooms and most often involved suture needles. Sharps injuries were highest in the first quarter of the academic year among trainees, while there was a slight increase among attendings. Further research is needed to understand the causes of these injury patterns and implement measures to prevent sharps injuries.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Michelle G. Nevins, Jennifer N. Apell
Summary: The study investigated the impact of cloud cover on solar irradiance, revealing a non-linear relationship between cloud cover and irradiance with minimal impact at lower cloud cover percentages. Machine learning models were used to predict irradiance under different cloud conditions, showing that the degradation rates are proportional to the decrease in irradiance.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sarah B. Partanen, Jennifer N. Apell, Jianming Lin, Kristopher McNeill
Summary: This study identified the environmental and physical factors that have the largest impact on the steady-state concentration of singlet oxygen within lake epilimnia, including epilimnion depth, singlet oxygen quantum yield relationship, and latitude of the lake. Recommendations were made to use more representative values for estimating the singlet oxygen concentration within the epilimnia of lakes globally, which may be more useful for assessing the environmental half-lives of pollutants.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jennifer N. Apell, Sarah Kliegman, Claudia Sola-Gutierrez, Kristopher McNeill
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Correction
Chemistry, Analytical
Jennifer N. Apell, Kristopher McNeill
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2019)
Meeting Abstract
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jennifer Apell, Nicholas Pflug, Kristopher McNeill
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2019)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
JenniferN. Apell, Kristopher McNeill
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2019)